LEADING WITH VALUES

As a premier organization for women, programming has always played an integral role in the Pi Beta Phi member experience. Originally launched in 2003, the Leading with Values ® program focused efforts on organizational knowledge, good citizenship, intellectual development and leadership development. In 2009, the Leading with Values program was updated to include seminars similar to the ones chapters and alumnae clubs use today.

Over the last biennium, Pi Phi has evolved Leading with Values to further engage members in authentic connections on topics affecting today’s member. Leading with Values seminars offer members a way to regularly engage in conversations related to personal, intellectual and professional development as leaders and dedicated members of their communities. The seminars were refined to focus on topics including mental health; diversity, equity and inclusion; conflict resolution and supporting others through empathy.

The refreshed seminars have already encouraged members to engage in open and honest conversations with one another. Vice President Member Experience RILEY BABBIN, Virginia Delta, recently led her chapter in the What Makes Me Who I Am seminar. “Having members share how they identify helped our sisters to realize there is so much more to each of us than race, ethnicity and sexual orientation,” said Riley. “It was helpful to hear other perspectives.”

CHANEY SCOTT, Vice President Member Experience for the Indiana Zeta Chapter, expressed a similar sentiment, sharing that the conversations that started in their Basics of Self-Care seminar have sparked action in their members. “The chapter is determined to keep the discussion going,” said Chaney. “Since the seminar, we have discussed the possibility of starting a volunteer ‘sister check-in committee’ to check on members periodically. We have also added a ‘sister challenge of the week’ as an incentive to spend quality time together.” Our Leading with Values program encourages members to apply the conversations and activities from each seminar to everyday life.

However, these topics are only the beginning for the refreshed program. The Fraternity will continue to add new seminars to support members and the conversations occurring in chapters and alumnae clubs. These peerfacilitated workshops can be led by any individual — whether a member of the Chapter Leadership Team or an individual member with expertise on the topic. Leading with Values seminars are available to anyone — not just members.

In addition to refreshed content, the new seminars are offered in a flexible, online format that allows facilitators to customize the curriculum to best engage their participants while still delivering a powerful, valuesbased outcome. Each seminar offers different activities and discussions to tailor the experience based on the number of participants, space and resources needed. “Our chapter loved the customizable section of the seminar,” Chaney said. “We chose the video option and followed up with small group discussions, which made it easier for members to be more personal.”

The Leading with Values program sets the stage for understanding and living Pi Phi values, fulfilling leadership potential, serving others and achieving academic excellence. The seminars included in the program aim to help collegians see the connection between Pi Phi’s core values and real-life scenarios. While each member lives the values in their own way, these seminars provide an opportunity to reflect on and discuss what it means to be a member of Pi Beta Phi. “The new seminars emphasize the importance and prevalence of Pi Phi’s core values in our everyday lives,” said Chaney. “They remind us how our values lead us in everything we do.” To view the updated seminars or plan your next seminar, visit pibetaphi.org/lwvseminars.